Additional Info

Nearby Theaters

This Lyric Theatre is not to be confused with the later-built Lyric in Riverside which became the Gilbert Stuart. This one existed in the 1910s, on Brow Street, a block east of what once was Watchemoket Square. It was near the Washington Bridge, later was demolished and an Esso gas station took its place. The Esso station was itself demolished when Interstate Route 195 went through.

Its existence is verified by old city directories and by the East Providence Historical Society’s volume for the series “Images of America”. Further information on this obscure silent-era movie theatre would be appreciated.

A 1913 city directory gives it as 34 Brow Street; a 1919 edition says 12 Brow Street. Well, at least I know it existed on Brow Street…a now truncated street. I wonder if anyone associated with this theatre was responsible for the emergence of the later Lyric in the Riverside neighborhood.

In 1912 one John F. Roach was the manager of this first Lyric.
Brow Street used to run from 38 Warren Avenue to 31 Waterman Avenue. Now the portion between Warren Avenue and Taunton Avenue no longer exists because of Rte. 195 and a group of criss-crossing highway ramps near the end of Washington Bridge at what was Watchemoket Square at one time.